By 2040, Podgorica and Bar are expected to be connected to Belgrade by a railway line capable of supporting speeds of up to 160 km/h. This route would also enable travel from Podgorica onward to Tirana and Durrës.
This connection is part of a broader initiative titled “Connecting Europe through High-Speed Rail,” which outlines the current state and planned development of the EU’s high-speed rail network along major European transport corridors through 2040.
In addition to EU member states, the document includes several Western Balkan countries that are not part of the European Union. The plan envisions two types of railway lines: those designed for speeds around 160 km/h, and those reaching 200 km/h and above, with target completion dates set for 2030, 2035, and 2040.
It is worth recalling that Serbia previously announced plans to renovate the Belgrade–Bar railway, with the Serbian section estimated to cost between €1.5 billion and €2 billion. As stated in 2024 by then-Transport Minister Goran Vesić, the modernized Belgrade–Bar line will be designed for maximum speeds of up to 120 km/h, while trains on certain segments will operate at around 80 km/h.
